Pass/Clear Response
If the result is a
Pass/Clear Response
, just the graph is shown.
•
A
Pass/Clear Response
result indicates that the patient has normal outer hair cell
function in the area corresponding to the test signal.
•
A
Pass/Clear Response
is determined by a statistical algorithm, based on
weighted averaging, which ensures detection with proven high specificity and sens-
itivity. No further interpretation of a
Pass/Clear Response
result is needed.
Refer/No Clear Response
If the result is a
Refer/No Clear Response
, the detailed results are shown imme-
diately below the graph.
Refer/No Clear Response
:
•
A
Refer/No Clear Response
is “good” when the
Artifact
and
Stimulus
levels do
not exceed the critical limits (see below), indicating that test conditions were
good.
•
A
Refer/No Clear Response
is “bad” when the
Artifact
and
Stimulus
levels have
been exceeded, indicating that test conditions were not optimal. In this case the
patient should be retested.
A
Refer/No Clear Response
result may occur for a number of reasons, the most important one being that the patient may
have a sensorineural hearing loss.
Always consider the factors below, however, when you interpret a
Refer/No Clear Response
result. It may be possible to
improve the quality of the test and so, on repeating the test a
Pass/Clear Response
may be obtained. It is always recom-
mended that you repeat the test when a
Refer/No Clear Response
result is obtained.
Consider for instance the following when you interpret a
Refer/No Clear Response
result:
•
Malfunctions in the transmission of sound are by far the most important causes of emissions not being detected. To
eliminate this possibility, always make sure that the probe tip and the ear canal are not blocked by cerumen or vernix.
Clean the probe, change the eartip, and then repeat the test. Check the probe fit indicator during the calibration and
adjust the probe as needed to ensure that the probe fit quality is high.
•
It is recommended that you repeat the test if the test conditions were not optimal (too much noise, too restless a
patient, etc.). If required, use a sound cabin or a room, where the ambient noise is as low as possible.
Artifact and Stimulus values
If the
Artifact
value (artifact reject) is greater than 20%, this may indicate a noisy test. Try to improve test conditions and
repeat the test.
If the
Stimulus
value (stimulus stability) is less than 80%, the probe may have shifted or may not be in a position to record
the response. Try to reposition the probe and repeat the test.
Otometrics - MADSEN Alpha OAE+
37
5 Testing with Alpha OAE+
